Air-conditioning apparatus



References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Via Trento l7, Breseia, Italy m m M h m L3 W n S "-m AS .HU "k 3 6 an mm 0 R C um u r WW "mo m n 82 mmm mXC 51 E 1 t 50 5 n 0 mfl l .nia ,3 "NH 2 PAA 7 0 6 9 41 l V. V. 7 um m 7JNJR2 o d N EW L n n wwmm a! AFPP 11111 21]. 2523] 224333 rt.l.l.l.l..|.

[54] AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: Air-conditioning apparatus adapted for use with conventional water radiator networks includes both heating 1 and cooling units. A third, ventilating unit provides for the forced circulation of air to either the heating or cooling unit.

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Selection of the appropriate unit, either heating or cooling is made by a mechanical lever system and a bypass valve.

Patented Nov. 3, 1970 3,537,512

Sheet 1 M5 Patented Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet i of 3 llllllll AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS The present invention .isrelated to air-conditioning apparatus which may be employed and utilized throughout the year in conjunction with existing and conventional central water heating plants, and which comprises both heating and cooling units that can be operated either concurrently or independently of each other.

The apparatus of the invention is connectable to any conventional distribution network of a central water heating installation, so as to exploit the thermal energy thereof during the cold season and to exploit the circulation of cold water therein during the hot season. so as to cool the condenser of the cooling unit of the air-conditioning apparatus.

Briefly described, the air-conditioner comprises a plurality of units which operate either concurrently or independently of one another. A first unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is the heating unit which includes a natural convection heater for heating the ambient atmosphere during the winter season; a second unit of the apparatus is the cooling or refrigerant unit which includes evaporating means for cooling the ambient atmosphere during the summer season; a third unit is the ventilation unit for the forced circulation of the air to the heating unit or the cooling unit.

The heating and cooling units are connected to each other by means of suitable piping for the circulation therein of the water from the above-mentioned water distribution network, and the election between the operations of the heating and cooling units, as well as the passage of air to either of said units, is achieved by means of a mechanical lever system which, preferably, is provided in the frame of the cooling unit, as hereinafter described. This system of levers determines the concurrent displacement or movement of the flap of a lower hinged gate and of the gate of a by-pass valve. The lower hinged gate allows the passage of air to the heating unit or to the cooling unit, while the by-pass valve directs the flow of the circulating water either to the heating or to the cooling unit, depending on the use of the apparatus of the invention.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus, complete and assembled;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus assembled, but with its frame or container removed;

FIG. 3'is a perspective view of the heating unit of the ap- 'paratus;

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the assembly of the cooling unit Y with air condenser attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a variation in the hinged gate of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, the air-conditioning apparatus comprisesa heating unit C composed of heating ele ments 1, supported by a metallic frame or container 2. Frame 2 is provided in its upper portion with a hinged gate 3 for the regulation of the air convection to the heating unit. In front of the heating elements 1, there is provided a cooling unit F which comprises an evaporator 4, a compressor 5 and a condenser 6. said members 4. 5 and 6 being mounted on a frame 7 which is separately distinct from frame 2. The members 4, 5 and 6 of the cooling unitF are suitably connected to one another by means of a piping arrangement for the circulation of the refrigerant fluid.- Between the heating unit C and the cooling unit F, there is provided a ventilating unit V, which is also mounted on a separate and distinct frame 8 having an upper grid 10.

The ventilating unit V' comprises an electrically actuated fan 9 for the forced circulation of air in the apparatus hereabove described.

The units C and F of the device are, furthermore, connected, by means of piping 11, to the distribution network of the central water heating system and in the piping 11 there is provided a bypass valve 12 for the flow of water to either the heating unit C or the cooling unit F. The flow of water is effected, respectively, through piping arrangements 13 and 14, connected, respectively, to heating elements 1 and to condenser 6. Both units C and F are connected, via piping arrangement 15, to the return riser ofthe water central system.

Laterally on the frame 7 of the cooling unit F, there is provided a crank 16 connected to the shaft of an electrical commutator 28 for the compressor and for the electric fan. To the crank 16 is connected a link 17, pivotably connected to an ar' cuatc actuator 18, on which there are provided a longitudinal pivot 19 and a lever 20 connected to the stem 21 of the bypass valve 12. On the longitudinal pivot 19 are provided the connecting levers 23 for the longitudinal hinged gate 24 positioned in the lower portion of the air-conditioner. This gate 24, as stated, determines the passage of air to the heating unit C or the cooling unit F.

When the units C and F are combined, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, they accomplish the function of heating or cooling the ambient atmosphere, as stated hereinabove, depending on the season of the year. In fact, in wintertime, when hot water is being circulated throughout the central-system, the crank 16 is moved to the position corresponding to the heating cycle. This movement causes a displacement of the link 17 and, consequently, of the arcuated actuator 18, which in turn causes the movement of the gate 24. This, then, in closing the passage of air to the cooling unit F, allows the ambient air to flow on the heating elements 1. Concurrently, the stem 21 of the by-pass valve 12 is moved by lever 20, which is connected to the actuator 18, and causes the valve 12 to interrupt the flow of water to the condenser 6, while redirecting it to the heating elements 1, so that the ambient air, in contact with said elements 1, is heated and, if the gate 3 of frame 2 of heating unitC is open, diffuses itself by natural convection in the ambient surroundings. if, conversely, the gate 3, mentioned above, is closed and the electric fan is set in operation, the air is diffused into the surroundings by forced convection.

Alternatively, therefore, it is possible to heat the surroundings either by natural convection and noiselessly or by forced convection of the air, which convection may be regu lated, if so desired, by a suitably located thermostat.

In summertime, when no hot water is being circulated throughout the central system netwotk, the crank 16 is moved to a position corresponding to the cooling cycle. By means of link 17 and arcuate actuator18, a displacement of the lower gate 24 is caused in a direction opposite to that described hereabove with respect to winter condition, so that the ambient air flows on the evaporator 4 and, concurrently, the bypass valve 12 interrupts the flow of water to the heating elements 1 and allows the flow directly to the condenser 6. As a result of this, the compressor 5 becomes operative and gives up to the water circulating in the condenser 6 the heatcorresponding to the compression operation, as well as the latent heat of condensation of the refrigerant gas. Concurrently, the ambient air moved by the fan 9 is cooled by means of the evaporator 4.

The operation of the air-conditioning apparatus during the cooling cycle is also regulated by a thermostat, similarly to the heating cycle. The thermostat (not shown), due to the electrical commutator actuated upon by the crank 16, controls at the same time both thecompressor and the electric fan. Obviously, during the cooling cycle, the upper gate 3 is maintained in closed position. This position is to be observed also during the heating cycle if the forced convection of the ambient air is to be obtained.

Since, as stated hereabove, the units of the air conditioner have independent operations, the heating unit C may function as an autonomous natural convection means and, together with the ventilating unit, as a forced convection means. 0n the other hand, the combination of the ventilating unit V and the cooling unit F results in the operation of an air conditioning for cooling of the ambient air by means of a water condenser.

It is obvious that, in this latter combination, it is not necessary to utilize the means controlling the movement of the gate, or the electrical commutator, or the by-pass valve for the flow of water. In this case, the condenser may be connected to any source of water available.

It is to be particularly observed that the cooling unit F, complete with levers, by-pass valve and electrical commutator, may be connected not to the heating unit C, as shown in FIG. 3, but to a conventional radiator 27, as shown in FIG. 5. This is effected by previously mounting in the rear of the unit F a partition panel (not shown) which serves the purpose of separating the heating radiator from the cooling unit F. It is self-evident, however, that the radiator 27 becomes thus a true convecting means, because the cooling unit F counteracts the radiation effects of the radiator.

All of the operational characteristics of the air conditioner described hereabove, which utilizes the network's hot water during the winter months and the network's cold water during the summer, may be achieved also with an air-conditioning apparatus such as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings. According to this arrangement, however, the condenser of the cooling unit F, which is water cooled, is eliminated and is replaced by a condenser 29, which is air cooled. In this case, the air-cooled condenser 29 is located on the rear wall of the frame 2 of the heating unit C and, specifically, in an opening provided in said rear wall by a closure panel 30. The frame 31 of the condenser 29 is connected to the cooling unit F by means of two wings 32, located on each side thereof to separate the condenser 29 from the cooling unit and, thus, permit the natural convection of air on the heating elements 1 of unit C.

Laterally to the frame of the unit F there is mounted the crank 16 with relative link 17, arcuated actuator 18 for the purposes described hereabove. The crank 16 controls the displacements of the lower gate 24.

In the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7, only the heating unit C is connected to the distribution network of the hot water, so that there is obviated the necessity of utilizing a by-pass valve and its related lever mechanism, during the winter season. During the summer months, instead, the operation of the air conditioner is independent of the water distribution network, because, as stated earlier, the condenser 29 is air-cooled.

In the variance illustrated by FIG. 8, the gate 35 for channelling of the air to thecooling unit F and, separately, to the heating unit C, does not operate horizontally beneath said units F and C, but is pivotably positioned on pivot 36 so as to result vertically and in the rear portion of the cooling unit. The

gate 35 is capable of controlled angular displacements, so as to allow the passage of air to the cooling unit F, as shown in solid lines, or to the heating unit C, as illustrated by the dashed lines of FIG. 8.

The solid-line arrows indicate the flow of air cooled by the cooling unit, while the broken-line arrows represent the flow of air heated by the heating unit.

I claim:

1. An air-conditioning apparatus for use in conjunction with the distribution network of a central water heating system, said apparatus comprising: an operationally autonomous heating unit including a support frame therefor and heating ele merits, said support frame including a first, manually operable hinged gate in the upper portion thereof, said first gate being movable between a first, open position wherein heated air passes directly out of said apparatus and a second closed position; a ventilating fan for moving heated air out of said apparatus when said first gate is in said second, closed position; an operationally autonomous cooling unit including a support frame therefor and an assembly comprising a refrigerant fluid,

an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, said evaporator, said compressor and said condensor being operationally connected to one another, said fan being adapted to move the ambient air over said evaporator during the cooling operation of said apparatus, said heating unit and said cooling unit being connected to the distribution network; a by-pass valve in fluid communication with the distribution network for selectively supplying water to said heating unit or said condenser; a crank for selectively operating said heating unit or said cooling unit; an electrical commutator actuated by said crank and positioned within said cooling unit; a link connected to said crank; an arcuate actuator connected to said link and capable of being angularly displaced; a longitudinal pivot rod connected to said actuator; a first lever connected to said pivot rod; a second gate connected to said first lever and positioned in the lower portion of said cooling unit frame; and a second lever connected to said actuator and the stem of said by-pass valve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooling unit and said ventilating fan are mounted within a single frame; said cooling unit being directly connected to a water radiator in the distribution network; and wherein a partition panel is inserted between said radiator and said cooling unit and ventilating fan; the alternate flow of water and air to said radiator and said cooling unit being controlled by said by-pass valve and by said second gate, respectively; said second gate being actuated by said crank. 

